BP Chats

Hi George. What are your short- and long-term takes on Jon Singleton? He seems to be having the same problem as last year translating his minor league performance to the majors, although this year is still a very small sample size. Thanks.(thresh50 from Boston)

Quad-A. I'm sorry. There's still hope, but given the options Houston has on the roster already and guys like Conrad Gregor and AJ Reed (both of whom I love) he's running out of time from a bigger picture. (George Bissell)

Is this the year Jon Singleton lives up to his promise with the 'Stros?(John from CT)

I doubt it, if only because it's crowded right now and I don't see him getting enough at bats. He needs a trade or an injury. If that happens, I think he could be solid, but I don't see him living up ALL the hype that surrounded him way back when. (Mike Gianella)

Definitely hope for Jon Singleton. People are too quick to write off prospects after they struggle a little in their first exposure to the major leagues. In Singleton's case, he shows good fundamentals: pitchers throw him fewer strikes, and he has decent plate discipline. He was stung last year by terrible BABIP (in the .230s I believe), and that should go back upwards. In short, I am bullish on Singleton: although he may never be a great player, he should be at least a good hitter for a few years. (Rob Arthur)

What do you think of Jonathan Singleton down the stretch? He's supposedly made some swing adjustments and is hitting lefties. Good source for cheap power? Do you like him over someone like Josh Reddick?(Shawnykid23 from CT)

They're about equal in my eyes, but Singleton has less competition for ABs from what I can tell. I'd roll the dice on him. (Craig Goldstein)

I'm in an AL only dynasty league. Chris Davis is in the last year of his rookie contract (I drafted him several years ago), so one dollar, for one year. I don't think I'm a championship caliber team this year and looking to move him. I was offered Jonathan Singleton for Davis. While this obviously is terrible at face value, guys have no contract until they're called up. I then would get a 6 year contract at a dollar per year for Singleton, regardless of production. What say you?(Jesse from NY)

That's complicated. I'd probably hold out for a better offer, but I might take that come mid-season. I recently traded a $6 Davis who I could keep at that price for one more year or extend at a $5 raise per season, for a $1 Rendon, a $1 Ventura and a $9 McCann. (Craig Goldstein)

Would like your thoughts on Jonathan Singleton for 2014? Will he have any impact in MLB for the Astros?(Ben from San Antonio)

I've soured quite a bit on Singleton, for a variety of reasons. If he gets everything together in advance of next season, I could see him finding his way to Houston late in the year, but that's stretching it if I am being honest in my evaluation. (Mark Anderson)

I wrote about him in this week's Ten Pack. I'm not crazy concerned about the bat, because he still shows the tools there. He came back out of shape and the range at first base was way down from last year. I liked him at first last year, but it was fall-down range when I saw him in June. From what I've heard, he's dropped a little bit of weight since then. He'll need to continue getting back into shape this offseason, and if he does that, I don't have a ton of concern. Still think he hits at the end of the day, and that's what's important. (Jason Cole)

How do you handle the Jonathan Singleton situation if you're the Astros? Can they move him to the 40-man to avoid the suspension?(andtinez from Houston)

I don't think they can do that. Somebody please correctly if your JDA knowledge is better than mine. You can move him to the 40-man if you're worried he'll smoke again and then he can avoid the next suspension, but he's stuck with this one. What do I do? Just make sure he's ready to play on day 51. I figure Oklahoma City this year and Houston either September or next April. (Zachary Levine)

What player was a let down to you after you watched him the first time.(William from Pensacola, FL)

I try to go into every viewing limiting my preconceived notions. That said, given all the hype surrounding Jonathan Singleton when he was with Clearwater (FSL), I was a little disappointed in what I saw. He looked stiff and slow at the plate. He's loosened up as he has matured and looks more like what he was billed as now, and you're seeing the results on the field as well. (Mark Anderson)

If Brett Wallace struggles next year (his K% makes one think he might) and Jonathan Singleton is tearing up AAA (off to a nice AFL start right now), how soon before we see him get the call?(Ashitaka1110 from Houston, TX)

Kevin, love the chats. Now that my Fiesta Bowl passing record is safe, who do you think is the top breakout candidate for 2011 from this list: Aaron Hicks, Wilmer Flores, Jonathan Singleton.(BrowningNagle from Louisville, KY)